NPR

terangi48 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:57 am I'll go with the NZ-TAB.........Crusaders - $1.39..........Blues - $2.85.

It'll be more than 15 against 15 in this one.........the bench will be vital.

......however the game will change if Mo'unga is injured. Blues will have more depth at 10 with Otere Black and Carter.

FujiKiwi wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 1:02 am And which team has the best set piece and halves? It’s not even up for debate.

FujiKiwi wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 1:15 am Time for the mocker Gods to look down from Olympus and infuse Sam Nock with godlike powers, just for one game.

JPNZ wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 1:46 am Its good to actually have a lot of excitement around this game. Previous years with the blues season hopes gone these games haven't had the excitement they deserve. I hope the home fans get out in force..

Auckman wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 2:25 am I think the best thing todo is try and keep possession for long periods; kick over any penalties that come our way to keep the scoreboard ticking over; and park the bus on defence.

FujiKiwi wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:30 am The Saders have won every kicking battle with ease, so far. Not just with their kicking from 9,10 and 15, but from excellent chasing from the likes of Reece, Bridge, Jordan and Havili. Again, the Blues haven’t kicked badly, but their chase isn’t at the same level.

Monkey Magic wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:34 am

FujiKiwi wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:30 am The Saders have won every kicking battle with ease, so far. Not just with their kicking from 9,10 and 15, but from excellent chasing from the likes of Reece, Bridge, Jordan and Havili. Again, the Blues haven’t kicked badly, but their chase isn’t at the same level.

Not saying the saders will be completely outdone in the kicking stakes - just that it is possible the blues will be able to get themselves in the game.

Personally still think TAB odds are about right- unless Parsons does actually turn into a quality NFL running back able to leap over the line of scrimmage

FujiKiwi wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:30 am The Saders have won every kicking battle with ease, so far. Not just with their kicking from 9,10 and 15, but from excellent chasing from the likes of Reece, Bridge, Jordan and Havili. Again, the Blues haven’t kicked badly, but their chase isn’t at the same level.

Gumboot wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:41 am

FujiKiwi wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:30 am The Saders have won every kicking battle with ease, so far. Not just with their kicking from 9,10 and 15, but from excellent chasing from the likes of Reece, Bridge, Jordan and Havili. Again, the Blues haven’t kicked badly, but their chase isn’t at the same level.

Sounds like you're not giving the Blues much chance, but I reckon Rangi may have been keeping a trick or two up his sleeve for this particular opponent. Hopefully the weather's conducive to running rugby and both sides put on a show. Can't wait!

FujiKiwi wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:45 am

Gumboot wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:41 am

FujiKiwi wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:30 am The Saders have won every kicking battle with ease, so far. Not just with their kicking from 9,10 and 15, but from excellent chasing from the likes of Reece, Bridge, Jordan and Havili. Again, the Blues haven’t kicked badly, but their chase isn’t at the same level.

Sounds like you're not giving the Blues much chance, but I reckon Rangi may have been keeping a trick or two up his sleeve for this particular opponent. Hopefully the weather's conducive to running rugby and both sides put on a show. Can't wait!

Not much of a chance... but still a chance...I agree that Leon MacDonald is a canny operator. He's growing on me. I reflexively hated him early on, feeling Tana had been shafted. But I have to admit, he's a sharp coach who has to take a lot of the credit for turning the team around. Apart from signing Barrett, it's not like the cattle have gotten much better. It's the sense of direction and purpose.

Gumboot wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:49 am

FujiKiwi wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:45 am

Gumboot wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:41 am

Sounds like you're not giving the Blues much chance, but I reckon Rangi may have been keeping a trick or two up his sleeve for this particular opponent. Hopefully the weather's conducive to running rugby and both sides put on a show. Can't wait!

Not much of a chance... but still a chance...I agree that Leon MacDonald is a canny operator. He's growing on me. I reflexively hated him early on, feeling Tana had been shafted. But I have to admit, he's a sharp coach who has to take a lot of the credit for turning the team around. Apart from signing Barrett, it's not like the cattle have gotten much better. It's the sense of direction and purpose.

Yep, he's clearly a very good coach with great assistants and the Blues look a very happy camp. How's his break dancing form?

Gumboot wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 8:03 amSecretAgentMan

Gumboot wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:41 am

Sounds like you're not giving the Blues much chance, but I reckon Rangi may have been keeping a trick or two up his sleeve for this particular opponent. Hopefully the weather's conducive to running rugby and both sides put on a show. Can't wait!

stemoc wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 7:15 am the last time Blues won agaisnt crusaders, Caucau scored a hatrick, since blues hate fijians winger, who will be the caucau this year? ..answer.. no one.. crusaders by 15...if i'm wrong, i'll flounce PR...

There’s no room in the Crusaders’ starting side for white-hot outside back Will Jordan this week.

Fresh from scoring braces against the Chiefs and Highlanders, Jordan has been named on the bench for Saturday night’s hugely anticipated clash against the Blues in Christchurch.

‘’It’s obviously a hard decision,’’ Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said, having named vice-captain David Havili at fullback, and George Bridge and Sevu Reece on the wings.

‘’But when you've got two All Black wings and your vice captain, who was probably player of Super Rugby before Covid-19 and he got sick (bowel surgery). We spent a lot of time on the decision-making and who would start. But the young fella will bring a lot off the bench.’’ Jordan has lit up the competition through the Crusaders’ opening three wins, running amok from both the fullback and wing positions. It sure highlights the luxurious position Robertson is in when it comes to his outside backs depth, which also includes Leicester Faingaanuku and Manasa Mataele.

“We would start all four if we could, there is no doubt,’’ Robertson said.

‘’He's [Jordan] just explosive, isn't he? He has got great timing and anticipation and can beat a man. He's pretty exciting, but he'll get more chances.’’ Asked where he saw Jordan in the All Blacks’ pecking order, the fourth-year Crusaders head coach said his consistency over the next five matches would be paramount.

‘’But he’s got all the qualities required. He’s definitely on the radar.’’

Jordan’s move to the bench is one of four changes to the Crusaders’ starting side. In addition to Bridge returning to the left-wing after a week off, halfback Bryn Hall replaces Mitchell Drummond in the run-on unit.

Loose forward Tom Sanders will start in the No 6 jersey, a week after Ethan Blackadder was set to fill the void left by the injured Cullen Grace against the Highlanders, only to be scratched ahead of kickoff.

Blackadder, who had major shoulder surgery last year, is set to go under the knife in the next week, after feeling discomfort in his knee, Robertson said.

‘’We really feel for him, he's been through a lot. He just had a wee episode with his knee, something is floating in it. It just locked up a couple of times. The surgeon said he will go inside and have a look.

‘’Look, he is a tough kid, but that hurt, I'm sure it did for him. He didn't show too much of it [emotion], but he's just hoping the best when they get him in for the operation.’’ With Grace likely to miss the remainder of the competition, the Crusaders have brought in Canterbury loose forward Hugh Renton as injury cover.

Sanders started the Crusaders' first two games of the season in February, but was unavailable immediately after the Covid-19 enforced break after becoming ill.

Sione Havili, who started at blindside flanker against the Highlanders last week, will provide impact off the bench, much like Jordan Taufua did in his final year with the team last season.

‘’Sione Havili was exceptional last week. He’s probably a bit like Will [Jordan], gives us some great impact. They are tough decisions, there is not much in it,’’ Robertson said.